Support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor

ABSTRACT

A support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor, comprising a support body, a supporting plate assembly, a membrane, and a containing ring. The support body has a base placed on the ground. The supporting plate assembly is set on the support body and has a lower plate and a cap, which enclose a pressure chamber filled with oil and sealed by an elastic ring. An accommodating chamber is cut into the lower plate at a central position, accommodating a contact switch. The membrane covers the accommodating chamber, being exposed to oil pressure in the pressure chamber. Upon increased oil pressure, the membrane is deformed downward, so that the contact switch is operated and a signal is generated. The containing plate fixes the membrane on the lower plate, having a central opening which allows oil pressure in the pressure chamber to reach the membrane at an exposed area thereof. By peripherally fixing the membrane on the lower plate, the membrane is prevented from loosening. By substituting another containing plate with a different central opening, the exposed area of the membrane and sensitivity thereof to pressure are varied.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor, particularly to a support for an elevated floor having pressure sensors for use in high-technology installations or computer rooms.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0002] The development of semiconductor and computer technology has led to an increasing demand for clean, dust-free rooms. Elevated floors have become important components of clean rooms, offering resistance against shock and providing room for installing cables, which at the same time are kept separate, not polluting the clean room.

[0003] A conventional elevated floor, as shown in FIG. 4, has a plurality of floor units 1, which are combined to form a large area for carrying machines and installations, and a plurality of supports 2, placed at corners of the floor units 1 and keeping the floor units 1 at a distance from the ground.

[0004] When the elevated floor having the floor units 1 and the supports 2 is used in rooms containing computer equipment or high-technology fabrication rooms, there is a demand for pressure sensors to be able to detect, e.g., intruders or vibrations caused by machines, requiring the installation of pressure sensors at the floor units 1 or the supports 2.

[0005] To this end, Taiwan patent no. 109399, filed by the present inventor (in the following referred to as conventional art) discloses an elevated floor with supports. As shown in FIG. 5, a conventional support comprises: a base 3, placed on the ground; a supporting tube 4, extending upwards from the base 3; a nut 5, set on an upper end of the supporting tube 4; a threaded adjusting rod 6, engaging with the nut 5; a supporting plate 7, set on an upper end of the adjusting rod 6; a movable cap 8, covering the supporting plate 7; and a sealing ring 9, inserted between the supporting plate 7 and the movable cap 8. The supporting plate 7 and the movable cap 8 enclose a sealed chamber filled with oil. When the movable cap 8 is exposed to weight, the sealing ring 9 is pressed and deformed.

[0006] The main characteristic of the conventional elevated floor lies in a contact switch 10 and a membrane 11. The supporting plate 7 has a central opening 12, covered by the membrane 11. The contact switch is placed below the opening 12. When increased pressure in the sealed chamber causes oil therein to press on the membrane 11, the contact switch 10 is touched and operated, generating a signal, so that a change of pressure is registered.

[0007] The conventional contact switch 10 has a high sensitivity, reacting to minute pressure changes. However, the embodiment disclosed in the file does not reveal clearly how the membrane 11 is fixed. Furthermore, a large area of the membrane 11 is exposed to oil, possibly resulting in inhomogeneous deforming, so that there is still some need for improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is the main object of the present invention to provide a support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor having a membrane with improved stability and convenience.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor with a controlled area of exposure to pressure, allowing to regulate sensitivity to pressure.

[0010] The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor of the present invention comprises a support body 20 and a supporting plate assembly 30. The support body 20 has a base 21; a supporting tube 22, a nut 23, and an adjusting rod 24. The nut 23 is set on an upper end of the supporting tube 22. The adjusting rod 24 is inserted into the supporting tube 22 from above, engaging with the nut 23. Thus turning the adjusting rod 24 allows to adjust the height of the support body 20. The supporting plate assembly 30 is set on an upper end of the adjusting rod 24, comprising a cap 31 and a lower plate 32 of rectangular shapes. The cap 31 has a cross-section shaped like the inverted letter U, having a downward protrusion laterally surrounding the cap 31, completely covering the lower plate 31. The lower plate 31 has a central, circular depression, so that a pressure chamber 33 is formed. An oil inlet 34 is inserted in the cap 31 in a central position, allowing to fill the pressure chamber 33 with oil.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2, four screws 35 fasten the cap 31 and the lower plate 32 to each other at four corners thereof. Each of the screws 35 passes through a through hole 321 in the lower plate 32, entering a threaded hole 311 in the cap 31. The through holes 321 are wider than the screws 35, allowing the screws 35 to glide longitudinally therein. The lower plate 32 has a thickness that is smaller than the lengths of the screws 35, providing space for a vertical movement of the lower plate 32 against the screws 35.

[0013] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, an elastic ring 36 is inserted between the cap 31 and the lower plate 32, surrounding and sealing the pressure chamber 33. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cap 31 carries weight, the elastic ring 36 is compressed, so that the cap 31 is lowered.

[0014] An accommodating chamber 37 is cut into the lower plate 31 from above, providing space for a contact switch 40 installed therein. The accommodating chamber 37 is covered by a membrane 50 and thus sealed against the pressure chamber 33. When the cap 31 is exposed to weight from above, the pressure chamber 33 is compressed, with oil therein transmitting pressure onto the membrane 50, causing the membrane 50 to protrude downward. With the membrane 50 touching the contact switch 40, the contact switch 40 is operated, and a signal is generated, so that load of the cap 31 by weight is detected.

[0015] The main characteristic of the present invention lies in the way of fixing the membrane 50. A containing plate 60 is laid on the lower plate 32, covering the membrane 50. As shown in FIG. 1, the containing plate 60 is shaped like a ring, having a central opening 61, which allows oil in the pressure chamber 33 to reach the membrane 50. The containing plate 60 is by four screws 62 fastened to the lower plate 32, ensuring that the membrane 50 is stretched tightly along the lower plate 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the membrane 50, being held by the containing plate 60, is pressed tightly onto the lower plate 32.

[0016] The membrane 50, being held down by the containing plate 60, is fixed stably on the lower plate 32 and prevented from loosening when deformed. Thus the present invention provides for a simple an reliable way to fix the membrane 50.

[0017] Another object of employing the containing ring 60 is to control a degree of deforming of the membrane 50, thereby regulating the sensitivity of the membrane to pressure. As shown in FIG. 2, oil in the pressure chamber 33 contacts the membrane 50 through the central opening 61 of the containing plate 60. Thus the size of the central opening 61 determines the area of the membrane 50 exposed to oil pressure. A relatively large diameter of the central opening 61 causes a relatively large area of the membrane 50 being exposed to oil pressure, leading to a large deforming thereof at a given oil pressure.

[0018] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, if a containing plate 60 having a relatively small central opening 61A is used, then a relatively small area of the membrane 50 is exposed to oil pressure, leading to a small deforming thereof at a given oil pressure.

[0019] Therefore, to change the sensitivity of the contact switch 40 to pressure, only another containing plate 60 needs to be replaced. A manufacturer producing floor supports of various sensitivities is only required to use containing plates 60 that differ, without any need to use lower plates 32, caps 31 or other structural parts of varying dimensions. This allows to use standard structural parts for manufacturing floor supports, simplifying production.

[0020] As the above explanation shows, the present invention provides for improved fixing of the membrane 50 for higher reliability and for controlling the pressure sensitivity of the membrane 50 touching the contact switch 40, improving precision of operation.

[0021] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor of the present invention in another embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 4 (prior art) is a perspective view of a conventional elevated floor.

[0026]FIG. 5 (prior art) is a sectional view of a conventional support for an elevated floor. 

1. A support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor, comprising: a support body, having a base placed on the ground; a supporting plate assembly, set on an upper end of said support body and further comprising a lower plate and a cap, which enclose a pressure chamber filled with oil; an accommodating chamber, cut into said lower plate at a central position; a contact switch, placed inside said accommodating chamber; an elastic ring between said lower plate and said cap; a membrane, covering said accommodating chamber, sealing said accommodating chamber from said pressure chamber, said membrane being exposed to oil pressure in said pressure chamber, being deformed downward upon increased oil pressure, so that said contact switch is operated and a signal is generated; characterized in that: a containing plate, fixing said membrane on said lower plate and having a central opening, allowing oil pressure in said pressure chamber to reach said membrane at an exposed area thereof, wherein, by peripherally fixing said membrane on said lower plate, said membrane is prevented from loosening.
 2. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 1, wherein, for varying said exposed area of said membrane, said containing plate with said central opening is substitutable, modifying sensitivity to pressure of said membrane.
 3. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 1, wherein said containing plate is shaped like a ring.
 4. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 2, wherein said containing plate is shaped like a ring.
 5. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 1, wherein said containing plate is fixed on said lower plate by a plurality of screws.
 6. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 2, wherein said containing plate is fixed on said lower plate by a plurality of screws.
 7. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 3, wherein said containing plate is fixed on said lower plate by a plurality of screws.
 8. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 1, wherein said lower plate and said cap are fastened to each other by a plurality of screws.
 9. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of screws passes through a hole in said lower plate that is wider than each of said plurality of screws, allowing said plurality of screws to glide freely in a longitudinal direction.
 10. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 8, wherein said lower plate has a thickness and each of said plurality of screws has a length greater than said thickness of said lower plate, allowing space for said plurality of screws to move against said lower plate.
 11. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 9, wherein said lower plate has a thickness and each of said plurality of screws has a length greater than said thickness of said lower plate, allowing space for said plurality of screws to move against said lower plate.
 12. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 1, wherein said cap is provided with an oil inlet.
 13. The support for a pressure-sensitive elevated floor according to claim 8, wherein said cap is provided with an oil inlet. 